2016 ~ 2017 MSSAA Cheerleading Rules & Regulations

Bona Fide Team Member:

A Bona Fide member of the school team is a student who is consistently present for, and actively participates in, all high school team practices, games and competitions. Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high school practice, game or competition in order to participate in a non-school activity/event in any activity/sport recognized by the MSSAA/MIAA. Students cannot be given special treatment (late arrival, early dismissal, etc.) for non-school athletic programs.

A student-athlete must be a Team Member for 50% of the regular season schedule for that sport to participate in any MSSAA Tournament competition (team member: any student athlete who attends practices or games for his/her sport teams – e.g. Participant moved to JV and then Varsity). A violation of this rule may result in disciplinary action as outlined in the Violation of Rules and Regulations section of this Rulebook.

On occasion, a student might find himself/herself in potential conflict with this rule. This can happen when a student-athlete has an association with an out-of-school team or has an opportunity to participate in some special tournament or on a special team. A waiver of the bona fide team rule excusing the student from the school activity that day and allowing the student to participate in such a non-school event is possible under the guidelines set forth below.

Waivers will be considered on an individual basis on the merits of each case. A waiver request must be submitted in writing to the MSSAA before the student may participate in the non-school event or activity.

Waivers will be approved or denied within two weeks of the request, and the coach/athletic director or principal will be notified in writing.

18. Violation of the Rules and Regulations:

A. A violation of any of the rules contained herein may result in one of the following actions being taken, including but not limited to:

a. Written warning;

b. Suspension from competition for the remainder of the school year;

c. Suspension from competition for one season;

d. Suspension from competition for one year.